The Lord is a Super God

One day I saw an interesting couple on the street. The thing that impressed me most was that the guy was wearing a t-shirt with an emblem or logo similar to the “S” in Superman, but instead of the “S”, it had a bright red “G.” I though he must think he was a Super Guy because he fit all the society’s standards of what most people would consider a super guy… attractive hair, strong, clean facial features, muscular body and apparently the woman he was with agreed with the opinion of himself. If the female he was with would have worn a similar style of t-shirt, in a slightly smaller size, her physical beauty and obvious outstanding assets, a person could argue, she would have been a Super Girl.

The beauty of the interpretation of single symbol is that it can mean several things at the same time. If I were to have the Super-G t-shirt in the appropriate size, the “G” would stand for God. My beliefs and my world demonstrate that this is true. Our Lord is a Super God.

First let’s look at what “super” means. In the word, supervisor, the super prefix indicates this is a person who is above something, and in this sense, one who manages people or resources. In athletic or scholastic events, art, music, entertainment and other disciplines, there are people have distinguished themselves as stars according to establish standards. Those who have moved above the other “stars” become “superstars” because they have had become a major influence in that sport or category. Some say these are legendary people since they may have been the first to accomplish something. (The Beatles and the volume work by the its members come to mind) This what “super” means.

In other religions or faiths that have more than one god, there is usually a hierarchy of gods so that one is the top banana. In Christianity, all other gods are replaced and united into one God since the Bible says God created the world. Exactly how and when the creation occurred is still being debated, but I believe it all started somewhere at some time. God also create Man, and man was created to serve the Lord. Man was also charged to be the steward of the earth using its resources as needed for survival. In this hierarchy, Man was above all other animals, and God was above man. So in this sense, the Lord is Super and a god or Super God.

It is important to share here is that the relation between man and God is a special relationship. It is through God’s grace and unending love for His people that He provides this earth and a place for His people. However, he also allowed man to have free will, or the ability to choose whether a person should believe in Him or not. The ultimate gift of life and love was established in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus so the bond between God and His people would be stronger. We should praise the Lord and thank Him for all He has given us on Earth. The hope is we will have eternal life in heaven.

With free will, for every decision there is a consequence, and when “bad” things happen, perhaps it’s not a result God’s actions. There are certainly lessons to be learned for breaking the rules, and when we fall, He picks us up again because he loves us unconditionally. He is a Super God.

I tried to simulate what I saw on the guy’s t-shirt and the resulting graphic is a possible logo for use by the young people involved in the programs of the youth ministry at the church. I need to find a place to make inexpensive t-shirts now. A couple hundred will do. They just might be a new fashion statement.

Peace be you with always,

Rev. Paul Abernathy

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” -2 Peter 1:2

Contact Paul Abernathy at paulabernathy@gmail.com.

Want to know more about the members of Lambda Sigma Chi? Click here to meet the members of the unofficial fraternity.

Fire Sunset

(Photo by Mike Hall)

The bright orange cast of the setting sun and the low angle of the light makes it appear that the silhouetted trees are on fire, when actually the sun is a few moments away before disappearing from the horizon on March 16, 2010.

Who is Elias Tobias? Go to his biography that is also in Spanish.

Out of my Mind

Brother Christopher Benedict shows his quick wit and wisdom with the poem, drawn from his experience in life.
Out of my Mind  

Letters b o u n c e around
in the hallways of my brain.
Verbs start to form from the
preprogramed vocabulary dept.
My head starts tohurt,
because feelings and ideascollide.
I’ve got to get this poem
out of my mind or else
the words will be absorbed by
forgettable memory cells.
Then this poem would not exist.
You would be reading a blank page
of paper that has potential to
give a lonely poem a home.

Like a friendly scavenger hunt? Learn more about this web blog with two Elias Tobias Trivia Quizzes.

Decision, Decisions

Decision, decisions…
what should I do?
People are all around,
all except for you.
I need some help.
I don’t know what to think.
Frustration mounts.
An instant’s gone in a blink.
Should I tell the truth,
or may I could lie.
I could always move.
It’s easy to say goodbye.

Everything has a price,
and can easily be sold.
Some new is used,
and becomes old.

Really need my wheels,
and payment’s due today.
I ask my boss for help,
but I don’t get a raise.
I earn whatever i get.
That’s what she says.
Strictly minimum wage,
and not a penny less.

The solution is solved.
I’ll stay on my feet.
But there’s a problem.
What and when do I eat?
What will it cost?
Do you have the time?
Have to hustle just
to make another dime.

Found a four-leaf clover.
Thought I’d get some luck.
The green never turned
into a million bucks.
I ‘ll go back to school,
and get a college degree.
I could be a teacher
and teach photography.

Have to plan the future,
while I lose the past.
Songwriters say to
make the morning last.
God is everywhere,
and The Bible is the Way.
His words are the truth,
a real guide for today.
Decision, decisIons …
What’s life all about?
There is so much to see,
and so much to doubt.

There are many posters which can be downloaded for free, and you can find them here.

I Hear the Waves

Am I just another piece
of driftwood you put in
your garden to make your
plant and flowers look better?
From what I can see,
your blossoms can easily
bloom without me around.
You have collected
other wandering pieces
which washed up
from the high tide.
I hear the waves
calling me back to
the salty sea, my home,
and I must leave now.

To read this poem in Spanish, click here.
Elias Tobias has a fan club web site, and you can get information by clicking here.

Oigo las olas

Para ver la versión original en inglés, haga click aquí.

Oigo las olas

Estoy más que otra pieza
de madera flotante que puso en
su jardín para que su
plantas y flores se ven mejor?
De lo que puedo ver,
sus flores pueden fácilmente
flor sin mí alrededor.
Hemos recogido
otras piezas errantes
que vertió
de la marea alta.
Oigo las olas
me llama de nuevo a
el mar salado, mi casa,
y tengo que salir ahora.

Photos by Mike Hall converted into brushed paintings are in the ArtBrushed Photo Gallery. Download art for free.

You’re One of a Kind

You’re one of a kind,
in a class by yourself.
If I were your teacher,
books stay on the shelf.
I’d teach you what
you need to know
all by myself.

You’re one of a kind,
in a class by yourself.
On the first of April,
I’d be your fool, and
I’d be your favorite
subject in school.
In September, I’d
remember that you’re
the only one for me.
By December, you
would have a
diamond ring.

You’re one of a kind,
in a class by yourself.
If I were your teacher,
books stay on the shelf.
I’d teach you what
you need to know
all by myself.

To read this poem in French, click here.

Would you like to start your own poetry blog? Learn how to do this in three easy steps.

Tu es unique en son genre

Tu es unique en son genre

Tu es unique en son genre,
dans une classe à vous-même.
Si j’étais votre professeur,
livres restent sur les tablettes.
Je vous enseignerai ce que
vous devez savoir
tout seul.

Tu es unique en son genre,
dans une classe à vous-même.
Sur le premier d’avril,
Je serais ta fou, et
Je serais votre favori
matière à l’école.
En Septembre, je serais
N’oubliez pas que vous êtes
le seul pour moi.
En Décembre, vous
aurait un
Diamond Ring.

Tu es unique en son genre,
dans une classe à vous-même.
Si j’étais votre professeur,
livres restent sur les tablettes.
Je vous enseignerai ce que
vous devez savoir
tout seul.

Pour lire ce poème en anglais, cliquez ici.

Would you like to start your own poetry blog? Learn how to do this in three easy steps.

How spiritual are you?

In an April edition of USA Weekend (April 2-4, 2010) the cover story asked, “How spiritual are you?” One main point made in this article was that a person could be comfortable with being closer to God or a person’s supreme being without going to a church or meeting place, even on a regular basis.  An increasing number of Americans polled have indicated they have a spiritual relationship without being religious, and 15 percent of Americans do not like to be labeled with any religion.  I have addressed part of this controversy in the in Designer Faith column previously published.

According to the article, Catholic priest James Martin believes that spirituality can be expressed in everyday life and this is the basis for his book, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life.  Anyone can be a Jesuit without the need a priest or even be Catholic.  He joined the religious order 20 years ago when be left behind a successful business career as an executive.

I can understand the desire to be free to worship as one desires.  It is in the Constitution. However, when a person experiences a religion, there is better experience when there is a gathering of like-minded people.  It may be even better understood with a leader of that group, one who has demonstrated further insight into that religion.  This does not always translate into a regular morning service attended every Sunday at a large church building with expenses and overhead.  My youth ministry program thrives on locations away from a church building, and leaders of these groups are older youths who have been through special training and have a great deal of faith.

Like a teacher who acts as a facilitator or mentor, this spiritual leader encourages the group in that faith and answers any questions a member of the group may ask.  If a person becomes one in a faith by themselves, who do they turn to, a book?  A person can learn from a book. That is a fact. I know of and recommend a Good Book. Whether the person reads it all or wants to extend the research depends on a person’s motivation. With family management and job responsibilities taking a big chunk of our non-sleeping hours, motivation may wane or disappear.  This is, according to the national numbers, really happening. The letters by Paul encourage a fellowship of believers with appropriate leadership.

Many people have not found what they are looking for, and there are other people who will take misguided souls into cults under the guise of a religious banner. The aims of the leader of these groups may mix with militarism, violence and exploitation of the people who are looking for their religious experiences.  The results may even turn deadly as history has shown.

Therefore, there is a balance to be reached where a person seeks his or her own religious experience and who is leading a group of people for this religious experience.  As for me, it is my job at my church to lead hundreds of youth in the direction I believe is right.

Peace be you with always,

Rev. Paul Abernathy

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” -2 Peter 1:2

Contact Paul Abernathy at paulabernathy@gmail.com.

Want to know more about the members of Lambda Sigma Chi? Click here to meet the members of the unofficial fraternity.

Wicker Ball

(Photo by Mike Hall)

The warm light and the texture of the wicker ball make for a comfortable feeling photograph.

Learn 10 ways how you can harness the Power of Words with modern technology.